South Korea’s queer culture balances historic legal gains with persistent social barriers. The landscape shifted significantly following the 2024 Supreme Court ruling that granted state health insurance benefits to same-sex partners, a landmark decision that finally recognized the “constitutional principle of equality” for LGBTQ+ couples. This momentum evolved further in 2025 when the National Census began allowing same-sex households to register as “spouses,” marking the first time the community has been officially counted in national statistics.
Culturally, a domestic BL (Boys’ Love) boom has brought queer narratives into the mainstream, with 2025 hits like Peach Trap and Secret Relationships proving that local audiences are hungry for diverse storytelling. However, tension remains; conservative religious groups still mount fierce resistance at the Seoul Queer Culture Festival, and many individuals continue to lead “closeted lives due to the lack of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law.
